Many, many rows of bright green herbs and vegetables.

A History of the Plant Based Diet

It seems like all we’re hearing about these days are plant based burgers at fast food restaurants; major dairy producers filing bankruptcy in part due to the increased demand for plant milks; and even the Golden Globes serving a fully vegan-friendly menu at the awards earlier this year. But the history of the plant based diet goes back much further than you might realize.

A history of the plant based diet began in Greece, photo of ancient Greek ruins.

A brief history of vegetarians

Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras, who lived in the late 6th Century BC, was the first prominent vegetarian.

Around that same time in India, nobleman and religious leader, Siddhartha Gautama (better known as the Buddha), was a vegetarian and discussed vegetarian diets with his followers.

The word “vegetarian” was coined in the 1840s. And in the late 19th Century, the Victorians invented a wide array of vegetable based “meat” products.

The known history of the vegan diet begins in the 1800s, photo of scrabble tiles spelling vegan on a blue plate next to greens.

Veganism starts to take shape

By 1806 AD, the early concepts of veganism were beginning. Dr. William Lambe and Percy Bysshe Shelley were among the first to publicly oppose the consumption of eggs and dairy on ethical grounds.

In 1944, Donald Watson, along with five other non-dairy eating vegetarians, formed a society and coined the term “vegan.” 🌱 (They simply combined the first 3 letters and last 2 letters of the word vegetarian to form the word vegan.)

However, in 1949, theologian Leslie J. Cross pointed out to the vegan society that they lacked the overall protection of animals in their definition. They later settled on the clarification: “to seek an end to the use of animals by man for food, commodities, work, hunting, vivisection, and by all other uses involving exploitation of animal life by man.”

The vegan society first registered as a charity in 1964, and also became a limited company in 1979. Their definition of veganism has been amended and refined over the years, and this is their definition of veganism today:

“A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude–as far as is possible and practical–all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefits of humans, animals, and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”

Black camera recording with blurred background.

Both sides of the more controversial arguments

I mentioned earlier that my husband and I committed to a plant-based diet after watching the documentary, The Game Changers. Keep in mind that all documentaries are extreme because they are trying to get their point across. I always take this into account with every documentary I watch, and do a lot of additional followup research on evidence-based studies. I also look at both sides of the argument. 

There are varying opinions on some of the more controversial arguments. I will put the links to various articles and study abstracts below.

Roman Gladiators Ate Primarily Vegetarian

NCBI

Out of This Century

Anatomy of our teeth

Free From Harm

Nature.com

Anatomy of our GI tracts

VeganLife

NCBI

A doctor in scrubs and personal protective equipment performs surgery on a patient.

Modern plant based diet advocates

Dr. T. Colin Campbell, PhD, has been dedicated to the study of human health for over 60 years and boasts an impressive resume. Lead one of the most comprehensive studies about health and nutrition ever conducted, called The China Study. His primary focus and research is on the association between diet and disease, particularly cancer. He has written many books and appeared in various documentaries, including Forks Over Knives and PlantPure Nation.

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, M.D. has conducted several studies on eating a plant based diet and its effects on coronary artery disease, concluding that it not only stops the progression of the disease, but can actually reverse it. You can read his book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease or watch him in the documentaries Forks Over Knives and What The Health.

Dr. John McDougall, M.D. developed a diet program for his patients consisting of plant based foods with no animal products or vegetable oils. He has written several books, including Healthiest Diet on the Planet, and also promotes other lifestyle changes (such as regular exercise) in addition to following the diet. His results reversed the progress of heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Dr. McDougall is featured in the documentaries Forks Over Knives, What The Health, Food Choices, and Eating You Alive.

Dr. Neal Barnard, M.D. is an advocate of eating a low fat, plant based diet. His studies have shown it has positive effects on many diseases, but especially those affected by our heart and our hormones (including diabetes, thyroid disorders, and breast and prostate cancer.) Dr. Barnard also found that saturated fat and cholesterol clog arteries not only to the heart, but to the brain as well. He has theorized that eating a plant based may help to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. Dr. Barnard has written several books and he has made appearances in the documentaries Super Size Me, Eating You Alive, and What The Health.

Dr. Brooke Goldner, M.D. was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Nephritis and stage IV kidney disease at the age of 16. She was cured of her life-threatening autoimmune diseases by adhering to a strict plant based diet. Dr. Goldner is featured in the videos and documentaries Eating You Alive, Whitewash, The Conspiracy Against Your Health, Goodbye Lupus, and Super Healthy Meals For Your Family.

Various plant based green vegetables.

The evidence is clear

Overall, I wanted to give you a history of veganism and what it means.

Regardless of these debatable arguments above, studies have proven that eating a plant based is an extremely healthy way of living; it can even lower your risk of certain diseases and cancers. 

Doing what is best for my body, my health, and my future is why I personally choose to eat a plant based diet. 🌱

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